Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus antibodies and CD4 level among HIV/AIDS patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is member is a member of the family Herpesviridae. It establishes latent state following primary infection, reactivating when there are changes in immune status. It is a virus of paradoxes and can be a potential killer or a silent lifelong companion. CMV infection is a common opportunistic viral infection among HIV/AIDS patients.Aim: This study therefore aimed at Studying “Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (IgG, IgM) antibodies and CD4 level among HIV Positive Patients Attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.Methodology: A total of 90 HIV patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Blood was collected and the samples were screened serologically for IgG, IgM, IgG/IgM antibodies and CD4 levels were estimated. Results: The results showed that out of 90 HIV patients, 15(16.6%) were IgG reactive, 6(7.1%) IgM reactive and 5(5.88%) were IgG/IgM reactive. For the Controls out of 30, 3(10%) IgG positive, 3(10%) IgM and2 (6.6%) IgG/IgM positive with p=0.358, 0.689, 0.824 respectively. This shows that there no statistically significant difference between CMV infection in HIV patients and Healthy individuals. The CD4 level was estimated for test and control, Mean 514.92±202.36 and 997.84±145 respectively. P value is 0.000 which shows that there is statistically significant difference between CD4 level in the test and control. Similarly, the association between CD4 level and CMV antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM) was obtained using Chi square and the p values were 0.057, 0.968 and 0.464. This indicated that there is no statistically significant association between CD4 level and CMV infections.Conclusion: Although, the study indicated that CMV infection among HIV positive cases is statistically not significant, but the case study reveals the need of further investigation to highlight the severity of the problem. It will help in better management of the HIV cases with early diagnosis of CMV antibodies in the patients

Integrated atomistic process and device simulation of decananometre MOSFETs

In this paper we present a methodology for the integrated atomistic process and device simulation of decananometre MOSFETs. The atomistic process simulations were carried out using the kinetic Monte Carlo process simulator DADOS, which is now integrated into the Synopsys 3D process and device simulation suite Taurus. The device simulations were performed using the Glasgow 3D statistical atomistic simulator, which incorporates density gradient quantum corrections. The overall methodology is illustrated in the atomistic process and device simulation of a well behaved 35 nm physical gate length MOSFET reported by Toshiba

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHANGES IN SOIL FERTILITY UNDER TWO FARMING PRACTICES IN THE KANO CLOSE-SETTLED ZONE

The influence of two farming systems (sole and mixed cropping) on soil properties was investigated in the Wudil area of the Kano Close-Settled Zone. Soil samples collected from plots under the two practices were subjected to physico-chemical analyses. The results indicate that soil under mixed cropping have higher levels of organic carbon, total nitrogen, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), exchangeable bases and available phosphorus than sole cropped plots. Mixed cropping is beneficial in enhancing soil fertility through reduction in soil erosion and higher organic matter build-up

Attitude and acceptability of assisted reproductive technology among women in a tertiary hospital in Sokoto, northern Nigeria

Background: Infertility couple affects the couple's life, work, health, personality, identity and quality of life. The aim of the study is to determine the attitude and acceptability of assisted reproductive technology among women at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that involved three 350 women attending infertility clinic. They were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained was managed using the statistical package for social sciences version 20. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant and the result obtained was presented in charts and tables.Results: Among the 350 women recruited, their ages ranged between 14-58 years with a modal age of 25-35 yeas (58.0%) and a mean of 28.59±6.7. They are mostly (78.6%), of the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group. Almost all (98.9%) of them were married and unto 40.5% of them were in polygamous marriage. Majority, 36.9% had tertiary education, and about same proportion, about half, 51.7%% were gainfully employed. About 60.3% of them were nulliparae with a mean duration of infertility of 5.07±4.8 years. Approximately half, 53.1% had secondary infertility and only about half, 51.4% will accept ART if offered. Unfortunately, among those who declined, majority (40.9%) had no reason for doing so. There was statistically significant association between educational status and acceptance of assisted reproductive technology (ART) at p value 0.02.Conclusions: The acceptance of ART in our environment is influenced by the educational status and number of living children

THE POTENTIAL OF MAIZE AS PHYTOREMEDIATION TOOL OF HEAVY METALS

This paper shows result obtained from analysis done on some selected heavy metals accumulated in maize planted in contaminated soil for forty two days. The soil (3kg) each was contaminated with 2g of the metals (as FeSO4, CdCO3 and Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cr powder), adapting experimental method of Abd-El Naby 2002 . The results show that essential heavy metals (Fe, Zn and Mn) at day 14 were high with values of 28.275±0.05, 18.210±0.03 and 4.815±0.11 in the experimental and Fe and Zn were high at 28 days with values of 30.21±0.02 and 16.52± 0.01, while at 42 days Fe and Mn were high with values of 33.01±0.00 and 16.88±0.01 respectively. The result for the control soil indicates that Fe, Pb and Zn reduced considerably with values of 3.650± 0.06, 2.006±0.00 and 1.113±0.00 respectively while at day 28 and 42 the same trend was observed to be as day 14. Generally, it was observed that the heavy metals accumulation by the plant in soil for both experimental and control is high in maize. The results show that maize can be used to phytoremediate these metals

Trade and market in conflict development and conflict resolution in Nigeria: scoping study report to the UK department for International Development.

This study of trade related conflict and its resolution in Nigeria’s was prompted by the needs of policy makers concerned with improving market access for the poor. There is a lack of published material analysing links between trade/markets and conflict development/conflict resolution. The study is based on a literature review, a small number of interviews in Nigeria and UK and a one-day workshop:it was conceived as a pilot to identify areas for future research. The informality of Nigeria’s agricultural produce trade has the potential to promote both cooperation and conflict. The food marketing chains are complex networks extending across the country, and often involve diverse ethnic, religious and social groups. For the most part these linkages work extremely effectively, drawing on substantial inter-gender, inter-ethnic and inter-religious cooperation,often built up over generations.Nonetheless, there is potential for

A Mathematical Model for the Dynamics of Zika Virus via Homotopy Perturbation Method

Zika virus is a member of the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, which includes other globally relevant human’s pathogens such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus. In this paper, a deterministic mathematical model of Zika virus was formulated using ordinary differential equations with two control strategies: treatment for humans and insecticide spray for mosquitoes. Homotopy Perturbation Method was used to obtain the approximate solution of the model. From the result obtained, 59% effective administration of insecticide spray proved effective which showed a great reduction in the infected humans as well as infected vector population. Numerical results were offered in the form of Graphs. This research work contributes to new field of knowledge included to the dynamics of Zika virus in population’s dynamics with the application of Homotopy Perturbation Method and can be further extended to study the pattern of Zika associated diseases that pose a significant public health risk. Keywords: Homotopy Perturbation method, Zika virus, Modelling, Numerical Simulation

Modelling for the Reduction and Spread Transmission of the Dynamics and Control of Zika virus Disease: Using Ordinary Differential Equations

The Zika virus is a flavivirus which upon infection in humans causes an illness known as Zika fever. It is commonly identified by popular rash, mild fever and arthritis. The Zika virus (ZIKV) was first identified and isolated from the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. This paper focuses on human recovery from treatment and death of mosquitoes from insecticides in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This shows that the ZIKV is endemic in a population when the illness exists and is a threat to a population if there is no control. Therefore, the model formulated is unique for analysis. The result of this study shows that the treatment technique without insecticides has no significant reduction in the infected vectors and hosts. The stability of the disease shows stable with Ro &gt; 1. Finally, the best option is to use an insecticide to reduce the spread of the virus on both infected hosts and vectors.Keywords: Zika Virus, Modelling, Transmission, Dynamics and Analysi

Perception of Professional Secretaries on Relevance of Shorthand Skills on the Modern Office Operations in Public Universities in North-East, Nigeria

The study assessed the Perception of Professional Secretaries on Relevance of Shorthand Skills on The Modern Office Operations in Public Universities in North-East, Nigeria. The study was guided by 6 objectives, 6 research questions and 6 hypotheses. Survey design was adopted for the study. The population for this study comprised of the entire 203 trained professional secretaries in public universities in North-East, Nigeria. The Total Population Sample (TPS) of 203 secretaries were used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire adapted from Sarki (2015), Oguntimehin and Oludele (2017). The instrument was validated by experts and pilot tested and a reliability co-efficient of 0.83 was obtained. The researcher assisted by 5 co-opted research assistants administered the questionnaire using on-the-spot technique. The data to be collected were analyzed using mean and grand mean to answer the research questions while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 confidence level of significance.  The result revealed among others that Shorthand skill is not relevant on report writing minute-taking of secretaries in modern offices operation. It was concluded that the job opportunities and job performance of professional secretaries will depend on their knowledge, skills and competencies on the operation of the technology gadgets and facilities found in the modern offices. Based on this, it was recommended among others that Modern technology such as (computer, scanning machine, tape recorder, dictating machine) should be integrated into the curriculum of business education programme, this will enable pre-service secretaries to acquire skills needed for office operation before graduation. Keywords: Professional, Secretaries, Shorthand, Skills, Modern, Office, Operations DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-2-05 Publication date: January 31st 202

Determination of the Influence of Texture and Organic Matter on Soil Water Holding Capacity in and Around Tomas Irrigation Scheme, Dambatta Local Government Kano State

Abstract: This research was conducted in Dambatta local government with aim of determining the influence of texture and organic matter content on soil water holding capacity. Three sites were chosen based on land usescultivated area (Jama&apos;a village), uncultivated site (shantake) and Tomas irrigation site. Fifteen composite samples were randomly collected from the top (0-15 cm) in the sites. The samples were analyzed for some soil parameters such as particle size distribution, organic carbon and water holding capacity using standard routine laboratory tests. In addition, statistical graphs and tables were employed to analyze the data. Mean values of soil organic carbon was computed to compare the results with the previous findings. The mean soil organic carbon of shantake, Tomas and Jama&apos;a fields were found to be 2.57, 1.37 and 1.27%, respectively. The textures of the soil samples were found to be Sand and Loamy sand. The soil water holding capacity ranged from 5 to 25%. The results showed that soil organic matter was found to be higher in uncultivated fields than in irrigation fields and continuous cultivation fields. It was concluded that soil organic matter and texture had influence on water holding capacity and the effect was more pronounced when fine texture was coupled with appreciable amount of soil organic matter. It was recommended that higher levels of organic matter should be incorporated to the soils with aim of improving soil water holding capacity and further research should be done in order to fully understand the moisture characteristics of different soil samples in the study area and sudano-sahelian zone at large